Mattis: A Missile Launch by North Korea Would Mean the Start of War

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned on Tuesday that Washington would consider a missile launch by Pyongyang towards Guam as a declaration of war, which he stated would lead to war very soon. The U.S. Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State have also urged China to take more actions to rein in North Korea. North Korea claims that a plan for an 'attack on Guam' has been prepared and is in the hands of its leader. According to the North Korean state news agency, Kim Jong-un has currently decided not to launch a missile towards Guam and will monitor Washington's behavior for 'a short period longer', and if the U.S. continues its 'dangerous actions', he will make a 'significant' decision. The plan that North Korea claims to have prepared for attacking U.S. bases on Guam has been part of the recent verbal tensions between North Korea and the United States. These tensions have arisen following North Korea's latest missile test, which estimates suggest is an intercontinental missile capable of reaching U.S. territory, and severe sanctions from the UN Security Council. U.S. President Donald Trump recently warned that North Korea would face 'fire and fury'. Shortly thereafter, he stated that U.S. weapons are ready to be fired at the country. Meanwhile, North Korea also claimed to have prepared a plan for an attack around Guam, which is to be presented to its leader in mid-August. Despite this, senior U.S. officials have reiterated in the past couple of days the priority of diplomacy and increased sanctions against North Korea. They state that although the nuclear and military threat from North Korea has increased compared to the past, it is not imminent. Meanwhile, Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has traveled to East Asia amid the recent tensions, has met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He is also scheduled to meet with leaders from Japan and China. Mr. Moon has asked the U.S. to focus its efforts on preventing war on the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean President has emphasized that his government considers finding a peaceful solution to the peninsula's issues essential. In recent days, the possibility of war in the region has been prominently reflected in South Korean media and public opinion, with some officials and political advisors calling for 'cooperation with neighboring countries' to reduce tensions. Meanwhile, Japan, another U.S. ally in the region, has welcomed the idea of 'keeping all options on the table'. North Korea has so far described the current South Korean government's efforts to conduct some military negotiations as 'lacking seriousness' and has rejected them. General Dunford states that diplomacy is the priority, although he emphasizes that South Korea's defense capabilities are also available in the event of a possible North Korean attack. In an article published in the Wall Street Journal, the two stated that the U.S. government's policy under Donald Trump has shifted from the previous 'strategic patience' policy to a 'strategic accountability' policy.